It’s time to go… Part II

Herb talked about “bush breaks,” “gender separations” and “taking a GPS reading” last week. Here, as promised, is my lengthy, previously unpublished post on all things “bio break” related… specifically, for the ladies. Some people may consider this way too much information.

One of the most frequent questions I get from women who are either new to hiking or new to group hikes is: What do you do when you have to pee?

It was a baffling question at first. What do you mean, what do you do? If you have to go, you have to go. But it’s true, taking care of business in the woods is not quite as easy or convenient for the ladies as it is for the guys. Outhouses offer privacy but are few and far between. So here is my thesis on peeing in the woods:

1. Bring TP. Some biodegradable, non-perfumed toilet paper. Double-ply cushy TP takes forever to break down. You can bring the whole roll if you want, but I usually roll off a couple “doses” and fold them into a ziploc bag.

2. Look for cover. When you start feeling the urge, keep your eye out for a nice private spot. Unlike guys, who can just step off the trail and turn their backs, women may feel the need for a little more privacy. Big rocks work well, as do shrubs, big fat trees, or low-growing pine trees. If the area isn’t flat, you can typically step off the trail, go over a small rise, and find a quiet spot that way. The more crowded the trail, the farther you may have to go. Make sure at least one hiking companion knows you’re taking a break and keep track of where the trail is. If you’re climbing a mountain, pee before you get too close to the summit. The summits are typically more crowded and (in the High Peaks) have either less vegetation. There’s also less dirt to bury your waste in and you really shouldn’t disturb what’s there, particularly at higher elevations. If you’re with a group, step to the side of the trail and let everyone pass. But again, make sure someone knows where you’re going. Typically, this person will walk about 20 feet farther up the trail and wait (looking pointedly in the other direction).

3. Leaves of three, DO NOT PEE. Watch out for natural hazards like poison ivy, spiders, wasps nests, etc. And in black fly season (or the middle of winter), make it quick, for your own sake.

4. Kick a hole. Or bring a little shovel. There’s frequently so much hummus on the forest floor you can easily kick yourself a decent hole with the toe of your boot. If you’re going #2, you need to step at least 200 feet off the trail and dig a hole at least 6 inches deep. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics says you actually don’t need to bury urine (it’s sterile), but if you’re going to use TP, you’ll need to bury that. If you want to be really environmentally friendly, or if you’re hiking in a desert environment, you can pack out your used TP in another plastic bag.

5. Squat and go. This is the part where newbies pee on themselves. Watch out for foot placement and be sure to pull your pants well away from the stream. If you have bad knees, this maneuver can be difficult. Finding a tree to use for balance can be helpful (bend your good knee, kick the bad leg out straight and use a hand on the tree to steady yourself).

7. Use the outhouses if they’re available. Yes, they smell horrible and they are frequently lacking anything that resembles a seat. But they’re there for a reason – so that everyone isn’t peeing behind the lean-to or next to the campsite and leaving a disgusting mess.

8. If you’re backpacking, it is totally worthwhile to learn to pee without taking your backpack off.

9. Stay hydrated. Some people will avoid peeing in the woods by not drinking. This is a very, very bad idea.

There is actually gear available to help women pee in the woods (or elsewhere) without exposing themselves. They’re called “female urination devices.” The one from Go Girl is made from silicone, the Sheewee and the Lady J from molded plastic, the P-Mate from Female Freedom from recycled cardboard and the Whizzy for Women is made from heavy paper. Any way you go, whether you plan to reuse it or not, you’d have to pack the device back out of the woods once you’re done. These sound more appropriate for cycling or running situations, where trash cans (but not toilets) might be near at hand.

You want me to pee WHERE?

And since we’re on the subject…. I have to post this picture. Herb and I ran across this structure when we were doing the Cranberry Lake 50 last summer. We both said, what the heck is that? Turns out, it’s a box toilet, the latest incarnation of an outhouse – an outhouse without the house. I’m not sure what the rationale is (no spiders? less materials? lower cost?) but I have to say, if you really want people to use these, you have to put them a little farther away than FIVE FEET FROM THE TRAIL. Sheesh.

Don’t forget ladies, at that time of the month, make sure you carry baggies for used feminine products and carry them out. Nothing more disgusting than finding said products at a common pee spot on trails.

When going number two I usually use a nice sturdy stick to dig a hole. And I often use the stick to push all my waste to the bottom of the hole, bury it with my foot and then stick the stick in the ground near the hole as a warning to others. One of the nice things about being in the woods is that it’s considered normal to play with your waste afterwards. Right?

Bushwhacking Fool… I actually just bought myself one of those little orange shovels but most of the time find the toe of my boot works just as well. Now it’s just one more thing I feel compelled to carry. There’s an amazing amount of leaf matter on the forest floor in much of the Adirondacks — thank god it’s so wet or it would be forest fire heaven — so kicking a hole or using a stick is a definite possibility.
Barold… if the box toilet has a great view, doesn’t that mean that people would also have a great view of you?

Hey, remember Bill Bryson’s book “Into the Woods”. The first thing the outfitter at Neel’s Gap threw out of his gear on the AT was the orange shovel all outfitters sell you. Get rid of the weight, use your heel or a stick.

I have never owned one of those little plastic orange shovels. I find that a stick works just as well, there are plenty of them around so I don’t need to carry one, they don’t cost anything and they are biodegradable.
When I was out in the Sierra-Nevada’s hiking a couple summers ago, I did use a little yellow shovel that one of my companions carried because the “soil” is typically rocky in many places. That was my first experience with carrying my used toilet paper too. That was, until I slipped it into one of my companion’s backpack;)

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